2025 Leagues One Cup Match Preview: Toluca vs. Orlando City SC

Team Form & Storylines

Toluca FC

Phase One Record: 2W–0L–1D (8 points, +2 GD)

Key Players:

🇵🇹 Paulinho – 4 goals, tied for Golden Boot lead

🇲🇽 Alexis Vega – dynamic winger, 2 assists

🇲🇽 Jesús Gallardo – versatile left-sided threat

🇲🇽 Marcel Ruiz – midfield engine

Toluca enters as the top Liga MX seed, unbeaten in the tournament and fresh off a dominant Clausura campaign. Under Antonio Mohamed, Los Diablos Rojos have blended attacking flair with defensive discipline. Paulinho’s finishing and Vega’s creativity have made them one of the most feared sides in the bracket.

Orlando City SC

Phase One Record: 2W–0L–1D (7 points, +6 GD)

Key Players:

🇦🇷 Martín Ojeda – 3 goals, 3 assists in Phase One

🇨🇴 Luis Muriel – fastest Leagues Cup hat trick (11 minutes)

🇺🇸 Alex Freeman – USMNT right back, MLS All-Star

🇭🇷 Marco Pašalić – breakout winger

Orlando has been red-hot, scoring 9 goals in their last two Leagues Cup matches. Ojeda’s 35-match goal contribution streak across all competitions is historic, while Muriel’s veteran presence has added clinical finishing. The Lions are unbeaten in 7 straight and lead MLS in total shots taken.

Head-to-Head History

First-Ever Meeting between Toluca and Orlando City SC

Key Matchups

Player	Team	Role/Impact
Paulinho	Toluca	Golden Boot contender, 4 goals
Martín Ojeda	Orlando	Creative force, 6 goal contributions
Alexis Vega	Toluca	Wing playmaker, 2 assists
Luis Muriel	Orlando	Veteran striker, hat trick hero
Pedro Gallese	Orlando	Veteran GK, key to stopping Toluca

Tactical Overview

Toluca: Possession-based, wide attacking lanes, aggressive pressing

Orlando: Fast transitions, high shot volume, midfield overload

X-Factor: Neutral venue could favor Orlando’s pace and depth, but Toluca’s cohesion and experience are unmatched.